Looking out for number 1

Castellano, second the past three years, aims to top Spa jockeys' list

By Mark Singelais

Published 12:06 am, Thursday, August 8, 2013

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Owner Ken Ramsey, right leads Hyper with jockey Javier Castellano in the saddle to the winner's circle after winning the 10th running of The John's Call July 31, 2013 at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Spings, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Owner Ken Ramsey, right leads Hyper with jockey Javier Castellano in the saddle to the winner's circle after winning the 10th running of The John's Call July 31, 2013 at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga ... more

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Jockey Javier Castellano is smiling broadly after winning the 10th running of The John's Call on Hyper July 31, 2013 at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Spings, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Jockey Javier Castellano is smiling broadly after winning the 10th running of The John's Call on Hyper July 31, 2013 at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Spings, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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Hyper with jockey Javier Castellano in the saddle wins the 10th running of The John's Call July 31, 2013 at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Spings, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Hyper with jockey Javier Castellano in the saddle wins the 10th running of The John's Call July 31, 2013 at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Spings, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Looking out for number 1

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Saratoga Springs

Javier Castellano, one of the leading riders in the country, found a part-time job earlier this week.

He and other jockeys waited on customers at a doughnut franchise in Saratoga Springs, where he filled out orders and handed out prizes.

"It went great," Castellano said. "A lot of people showed up, of course, Dunkin' Donuts. But I was really surprised. People opened the (drive-through) window and (said), 'Oh, there's John Velazquez, Javier Castellano, Irad Ortiz.' It was really good."

Castellano, 35, acknowledged that if this had happened near Aqueduct or Belmont Park, it's likely no one would have known him. But this is Saratoga, where the jockeys are celebrities.

That's one reason why winning the Spa riding title is so important. It's a prize that has eluded Castellano so far.

The Venezuelan has finished second in the jockey standings the past three years, to John Velazquez in 2010 and 2011 and to the recently-retired Ramon Dominguez in 2012.

He's in the place position again with 23 victories, three behind leader Joel Rosario after Wednesday's card.

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"I can't complain, but it's something you need to get there on paper in black and white," Castellano said. "I want to be leading jockey. Just for prestige. It's one more goal I want in my career, to be leading jockey at Saratoga."

He narrowly missed his first Saratoga crown two years ago, when he finished with 52 victories, two behind Velazquez. Castellano missed the final day of the meet because he was riding in stakes at Parx Racing.

He was a distant second with 51 wins last year behind Dominguez, who dominated Saratoga with a record 68 winners. Dominguez since had to leave the sport after suffering a fractured skull at Aqueduct in January.

While Dominguez's retirement leaves a void at the top of the standings, Castellano said he knows it won't be easy to fill.

"Hopefully (I'll win) this year," he said. "It's very competitive with John Velazquez and Joel Rosario. Keep pushing and try to win some races. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be."

Matt Muzikar of Saratoga Springs, who is Castellano's agent, said it's just a matter of their horses fitting the conditions over the final three weeks of the meet.

"He's riding well, our clients' horses are running well and there's no excuses," Muzikar said. "It's just everything has to fall into place. I think he can win the meet. Obviously, we'd like to, but I don't think it's the end of the world."

He doesn't have a horse yet for the Travers, a race he's won three times. He sat out last year's Midsummer's Derby as well.

"We'll see how it goes in the Alabama," Castellano said. "I don't have nothing in the Travers so far, but hey, who knows? I'm still hoping at the last minute, something comes up."

Castellano's career has taken off since hiring Muzikar to handle his book four years ago. Castellano ranked third in the nation with 202 wins this year and second in prize money at $12.76 million entering Wednesday's card.

"We have a great partnership," Castellano said. "I give him a lot of credit. He puts a lot into it. I put a lot into it."